Wilmington High School Investigates 'Appalling' Incident In Bathroom

WILMINGTON, MA — Staff members of Wilmington High School and the Wilmington Police Department have launched an investigation into a "serious and disturbing physical altercation" that happened inside a boy's bathroom this week.

Wilmington Superintendent Glenn Brand issued a letter to the school community saying the incident took place Tuesday, indicating that a few students stood by either watching or recording the ordeal instead of trying to help.

"Not only is the incident itself concerning, but also that some of our students recorded the altercation and posted this online," Brand said adding that investigators are working to identify all of the students involved.

According to Boston 25, the video is said to show a student being picked up inside the bathroom and having his head forced into a toilet inside a stall.

"I am truly appalled by the actions of these students which are unacceptable and do not represent the core values of this educational community," Brand wrote in the letter. "It is my expectation that each and every one of our students has the right to attend a school that is safe and supportive. While I recognize that the vast number of our students consistently make appropriate choices to support such an environment, we will have zero tolerance for those that do not."

Patch reached out to Wilmington police for more information and will update when we learn more.

Going forward, Brand wants students to know that none of these behaviors will be accepted. "We are in the process of scheduling bystander training that will be mandatory for all students," Brand said, adding that "relevant legal actions" will be pursued pending the outcome of the investigation.